July was an emotional roller coaster here at GoDogz – we had to say goodbye to two of our sweet pups, but we also had some wonderful adventures. Here’s a quick highlight of just a couple of our favorite pictures from the month.

First up, we managed to get the super aussie/lab pack to take a short break from racing down the trails to pose for this pic:

It’s GoDogz time!

No party like a GoDogz party!

Speaking of group pics, we also had a mini GoDogz party out at DeLaVeaga when Rosey, Kaylee, and Hillary all chose to hike their packs there.

Puppy par-tay!

And a puppy party with our youngest GoDogz: Pearl, Huck, and Zoe joining slightly older pals Charlie and Pogo for a high energy hike with Dani and Hillary.

Aww, Cheebie and Hillary, so cute!

Of course, in addition to group pics, we couldn’t resist taking a few doggie selfies this month. Some of them turned out very successfully, while some…were a little less successful. ;D

Sean has been hounded! ;D

Huh?

Luckily all our GoDogz are very patient with us! Especially Ricky Bobby and Zoe, who have mastered the art of the synchronized head tilt for maximum effect:

Madison, Archie, Mochi, and Cali!

This month marked a couple of exciting new things, too! First up, we welcomed new GoDogger Madison to the team. Here she is with the Scotts Valley Trio, who gave her the paw of approval:

So…much…happy!!

Also this month marked the start of a beautiful brand-new doggie friendship: Mawson and Ziva. Dani had the pleasure of introducing these two fast friends to each other, where they bonded over their shared love of racing down the trails.

Loving their Henry Cowell adventures together

And since one of our favorite things here at GoDogz are the doggie friendships we’ve seen, here are a couple more pics of classic friends taken this month, starting with this cute pic of bestest running buddies Doyle and Cali…

Heidi and Chelsea are ready to tackle those trails!

Or this pic of cute-as-a-button friends Heidi and Chelsea.

Cutest thing ever!

Sometimes our GoDogz friendships are too cute for words, like the time Nexpa and Pogo got all snuggly.

“Dude, you’ve got something on your face…”

Other times, they crack us up, like this perfectly Gloria expression of disgust, staring at Bronx’s amazing stream of drool.

Moses and Tripp enjoying the sunshine

But what we love is that these doggie friendships come in all shapes and sizes. 🙂

Love this pack! ;D

Okay, I’ll try to wrap this post up. A couple of final pictures you just have to see, like this one of the most hilariously cute pack ever, with tiny Gibbs, medium-sized Romeo and Juliette, and giant Omar:

Ahh…

And finally, here are a couple of happy dog portraits from the month. First up, Archie looking proud, regal, and content after a good hike:

Love the beach!

Next is Bronx, also proud, regal, and content at the beach:

Love those ears!! ;D

And little Zoe, who got to enjoy a solo hike with her pal Kaylee, was all ears and smiles. 😀

We see that smile, Gloria!

And finally, we caught Gloria smiling! Gloria, who is usually the master of the “resting pit face” managed to break her cool and give us a little doggie grin. 🙂

Today we turn to Hillary for a guest post chronicling her adventures with Reggie.

Happy Reggie

I was welcomed into the GoDogz team by Reggie and his family. I was lucky enough to have them be my very first hike! Reggie was not part of the pack in the same way as many of our other GoDogz. He got solo time with each of his hikers for a potty walk before his brother, Omar, went out for a pack hike. Those few minutes with Reggie were always peaceful and mellow.

“We can share this, my most precious possession”

Over the course of a couple of pet sits, I was able to see just how loving this giant Mastiff could be! Weighing in over 130 pounds in his prime, at first glance Reggie came across as a tough and intimidating dog. However, he quickly showed us his soft side, often greeting us by bringing one of his precious stuffed animals to share. We will never forget those loving eyes and sweet cuddles.

GoDog on the go!

Reggie’s favorite time, even when he wasn’t feeling well, was hearing a leash and collar be picked up. He would quickly get up off his bed, the back deck, or hustle out of his crate to venture outside! He was always eager to sniff all the traces of his neighborhood and though his sight was not perfect, he would always find signs of the cats and squirrels before I could.

Reggie snuggling with sibling Wednesday

Unfortunately, Reggie was diagnosed with stage IV cancer just a few months ago. He fought hard, but sadly, recently he crossed the rainbow bridge. He’ll be in good company, cuddling with his sister Wednesday in a place where he can hear the jangle of his collar and eat as many frozen bananas and French fries as his heart desires.

I first met Gromit and her brother Moses a year and a half ago. A lab mix described as “a bit persnickety, with Mona Lisa eyes” she was such a welcome addition to our regular packs. And while occasionally I would see a hint of this “persnicketyness,” she was consistently sweet to every GoDog she met.

Gromit, always so happy to hike with her brother Moses!

Whenever we showed up, Gromit would race to the door and look at us with those famous big, liquid eyes of hers. Sean and I referred to this look as “Gromit face,” and it was always impossible to resist.

Sean and the pack dodge raindrops at Henry Cowell

Also impossible to resist? Gromit’s enthusiasm for adventure and the great outdoors! Like any true GoDog, she was always ready to go anywhere, rain…

Ahh, glorious sunlight

…Or shine.

Gromit sandwiched between her besties Moses and Duchess

Gromit made many good friends among the GoDogz packs. While Moses would always be her biggest love, she was particularly fond of her little protege, Duchess, a black lab puppy whose very first GoDogz pack hike was with Gromit and Moses.

Treat break with her westside pack friends

Gromit took to mentoring a puppy immediately; she really loved the extra attention and energy, and would often go and check in with Duchess first. While she had those special dog friends, really every GoDog quickly became her buddy. We could add her to any pack, and the other dogs would be happy to see her.

Gromit and her pack at Nisene

I don’t know if Gromit had a favorite trail or park. She was always so happy to hike everywhere, and trotted along like the best dog in the world no matter where we hiked. I do know she loved the great big redwoods of Nisene Marks…

Venturing out to conquer another hill

As well as the rolling sand hills of Henry Cowell.

Loving the smell of the ocean

The ocean breezes along Lighthouse Field and westcliff were always a favorite…

Photo op with the pack at Pogonip!

And she could never resist the sunny trails of Pogonip.

Gromit was loved by everyone on our team – she was a joy to hike with, bringing her gentle sense of fun to every outing.

Gromit loved her Moses time, at home and on the trails

Before moving in with Moses and his mama, she bounced around to a couple different houses, but was so fortunate to end up in a truly loving home; I could tell she was very content, living the life she would have handpicked for herself, a long, full life with many adventures.

Sweet Gromit face

Unfortunately, she passed away last week. We are all going to miss her sweet Gromit face and the way she’d perk up whenever we got to the trails, or how she’d always greet us at the door, ready for her next big hike.

I like to picture her trotting across the rainbow bridge, joining the GoDogz who journeyed there ahead of her, all of them hiking on their final grand adventure together. She’ll fit right in, trotting along with them like the best dog in the world.